A VILLAGE which was rejected for a £200,000 National Lottery grant for a new community hall has raised the cash itself.

Ten years ago, the hall and sporting facilities were just a dream at Bishop Monkton, near Ripon, but now they are becoming a reality.

Mayor of Harrogate, Councillor Ian Galloway, the village's borough councillor, will cut the first sod on Thursday next week, to launch the work.

Coun Galloway, who has donated £1,000 of his personal budget, said: "Being turned down by the lottery would have totally dispirited some communities. but it seemed to inspire Bishop Monkton.

"They just got the bit between their teeth and did it themselves. It's really quite tremendous and just shows what can be done by sheer hard work and community spirit."

Once work on the building by contractors Houseman and Falshaw has finished, local craftsmen, who have given their time free of charge, will fit out the premises.

The Women's Institute rooms previously hosted village events but they are being turned into housing and the WI will use the new hall, which is part of a wider sporting complex including a £50,000 bowling green which has 50 members, and cricket and football facilities.